Outdoor patio gas fireplace

ABSTRACT

A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace is disclosed that can be moved to any desired location and is safe and easy to use. The mobile outdoor gas fireplace burns clean and does not require any cleaning after it is used. Furthermore, it may be immediately reignited for use after it is turned off. The preferred embodiment of the mobile outdoor gas fireplace comprises of a housing enclosing a propane tank with hoses that direct the fuel in the propane tank through a regulator with a small portion directed to a pilot light which is ignited by a ignitor and the majority of the fuel directed through an adjustable gas valve and through a mixing chamber to a burner within the housing, with the entire assembly set on movable wheels.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Generally, fireplaces are built into the interior of a house and cannot be moved. If a fireplace is desired for outdoor use, either a pit with burning firewood or a fixed outdoor fireplace that is built as a fixture is commonly used. With either of these designs, the fireplace cannot be moved and after they are used, it is very dirty and messy to clean up the ash and soot from the burned firewood.

[0005] Furthermore, both of these designs present a fire hazard with the burning firewood. Sparks from the burning firewood or burning cinders may be blown afloat by winds or activities around the fireplace and ignite surrounding flammable materials, such as other nearby firewood, trees, bushes, dry grass, clothing, paper, wooden patio furniture, and wooden deck. In addition, starting a fire in either of these fireplaces is difficult and dangerous. Generally a match or a lighter is used to light flammable materials such as paper and lighting fuel to start the fire and set the firewood burning. This may require several attempts, particularly if there is wind blowing or if the firewood is damp. With these conventional fireplaces, several dangerous small ignitions means, such as matches, lighter, paper, and lighter fluid, are present around the fireplace. These things present a fire hazard, particularly if children are around and can reach them.

[0006] After these conventional fireplaces have been used, the flame must be put out by sure mean to ensure that the firewood do not reignite from residual heat. Often, water is used as an economical and safe way to put out the fire. However, once the fire is extinguished by water, the fireplace cannot be reused until the water is dried. This may take several hours, if not days.

[0007] As shown above, the conventional outdoor fireplace has several drawbacks. The conventional outdoor fireplaces are difficult and dangerous to use and are difficult to clean after they are used. In addition, after the fire is extinguished, the outdoor fireplace may not be used for a length of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is a mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace that can be moved to any desired location and is safe and easy to use. The present invention burns clean and does not require any cleaning after it is used. Furthermore, the present invention may be immediately reignited for use after it is turned off. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises of a housing enclosing a propane tank with hoses that direct the fuel in the propane tank through a regulator with a small portion directed to a pilot which is ignited by a ignitor and the majority of the fuel directed through an adjustable gas valve and through a mixing chamber to a burner within the housing, with the entire assembly set on movable wheels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 shows the interior assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] The preferred embodiment of the mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace comprises of a housing 10 with an upper compartment and a lower compartment attached to a set of wheels 13 allowing the housing 10 to be freely moved to any desired location. The walls of the upper compartment of the housing 10 are perforated and may be in the form of a wire mesh 11. Enclosed within said lower compartment of the housing 10 is a propane tank 1 containing propane fuel removably attached to and located at the bottom of the lower compartment of the housing 10. Attached to said propane tank 1 is a regulator 2 with an inlet and an outlet which will regulate the flow of the fuel once the fuel is released form the propane tank 1. An inlet hose 3 is attached to the outlet of the regulator 2 to direct the fuel to an adjustable gas valve 5. A small amount of fuel is directed to a pilot 6 which is ignited by an ignitor 7. Majority of the fuel is directed through the adjustable gas valve 5 to a mixing chamber 8 to be mixed with outside air and then directed through the burner 9 located in the upper compartment of the housing 10 to be ignited by the small flame at the pilot 6 and burned. Surrounding the burner 9 may be placed gas logs 12 to assist in radiating the heat and enhance the visual appeal of the flame.

[0012] After the mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace is moved to the desired location, the valve on the propane tank 1 containing the propane fuel is opened to release the fuel from the propane tank 1 through a regulator 2. An inlet hose 3 directs the fuel exiting from the regulator 2 to an adjustable gas valve 5. When the adjustable gas valve 5 is opened by depressed it the electromagnetic valve 4 is closed and a small amount of the fuel is released to the pilot 6. When the ignitor 7 is depressed a spark is generated at the pilot 6 and ignites the fuel. A small flame is generated at the pilot 6 which in turn activates the electromagnet in the electromagnetic valve 4 and retains the electromagnetic valve 4 in the closed position and the adjustable gas valve 5 in the open position to allow a continuous flow of fuel to the pilot 6. Majority of the fuel will flow through the adjustable gas valve 5 into a mixing chamber 8 to be mixed with the outside air to create a combustible mixture. This combustible mixture is directed through a burner 9 located in the upper compartment of the housing 10 which is then ignited by the small flame at the pilot 6 and burned. Gas logs 12 may be placed around and/or on top of the burner 9 to radiate the heat and increase the aesthetic appeal of the flame.

[0013] If the flame at the burner 9 is distinguished by wind, the small flame at the pilot 6 will immediately reignite the fuel exiting from the burner 9 and continue the combustion. This will prevent the flame at the burner 9 from being extinguished unintentionally. If the small flame at the pilot 6 is extinguished, the electromagnet will lose its magnetic property and will release the electromagnetic valve 4 to its open position and close adjustable gas valve 5 thereby ceasing the flow of fuel from the propane tank 1. This will prevent accidental leakage of the fuel and extinguish the flame at the burner 9.

[0014] The mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace may be shut off by closing the adjustable gas valve 5 and ceasing the flow of fuel to the pilot 6 and the burner 9. After the mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace is shut off, it may be immediately reignited by simply repeating the simple procedure to turn on the mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as described above.

[0015] The mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace can be moved to any desired location and is safe and easy to use. The present invention burns clean and does not require any cleaning after it is used. Furthermore, the present invention may be immediately reignited for use after it is turned off. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace comprising: a housing with an upper compartment and a lower compartment attached to a set of wheels; means for containing a combustible fuel within said lower compartment of the housing; means for controlling and delivering the combustible fuel from said means for containing a combustible fuel to a burner within said upper compartment; and means for igniting said combustible fuel exiting from the burner within said upper compartment to generate one or more flames; wherein after said mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace may be used to provide heat and aesthetic appeal anywhere it is placed.
 2. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 1, wherein said means for containing combustible fuel within said lower compartment of the housing is a tank.
 3. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 1, wherein said means for controlling and delivering the combustible fuel comprises of a regulator attached to the means for containing a combustible fuel with an inlet hose connected to where the combustible fuel exits the regulator to direct the combustible fuel through an adjustable gas valve with a small portion direct to a pilot to be ignited by the ignition means to generate a small flame at the pilot and the majority of the combustible fuel directed into a mixing chamber to be mixed with outside air and then directed into a burner to be ignited by the small flame at the pilot.
 4. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 2, wherein said means for controlling and delivering the combustible fuel comprises of a regulator attached to the means for containing a combustible fuel with an inlet hose connected to where the combustible fuel exits the regulator to direct the combustible fuel through an adjustable gas valve with a small portion direct to a pilot to be ignited by the ignition means to generate a small flame at the pilot and the majority of the combustible fuel directed into a mixing chamber to be mixed with outside air and then directed into a burner to be ignited by the small flame at the pilot.
 5. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 1, wherein a set of gas logs is placed near the burner to radiate the heat and to enhance the visual appeal of the flame at the burner.
 6. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 2, wherein a set of gas logs is placed near the burner to radiate the heat and to enhance the visual appeal of the flame at the burner.
 7. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 3, wherein a set of gas logs is placed near the burner to radiate the heat and to enhance the visual appeal of the flame at the burner.
 8. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 4, wherein a set of gas logs is placed near the burner to radiate the heat and to enhance the visual appeal of the flame at the burner.
 9. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 1, wherein the walls of said upper compartment of the housing is perforated.
 10. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 1, wherein the walls of said upper compartment of the housing is a wire mesh.
 11. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 9, wherein said means for containing combustible fuel within said lower compartment of the housing is a tank.
 12. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 9, wherein said means for controlling and delivering the combustible fuel comprises of a regulator attached to the means for containing a combustible fuel with an inlet hose connected to where the combustible fuel exits the regulator to direct the combustible fuel through an adjustable gas valve with a small portion direct to a pilot to be ignited by the ignition means to generate a small flame at the pilot and the majority of the combustible fuel directed into a mixing chamber to be mixed with outside air and then directed into a burner to be ignited by the small flame at the pilot.
 13. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 11, wherein said means for controlling and delivering the combustible fuel comprises of a regulator attached to the means for containing a combustible fuel with an inlet hose connected to where the combustible fuel exits the regulator to direct the combustible fuel through an adjustable gas valve with a small portion direct to a pilot to be ignited by the ignition means to generate a small flame at the pilot and the majority of the combustible fuel directed into a mixing chamber to be mixed with outside air and then directed into a burner to be ignited by the small flame at the pilot.
 14. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 9, wherein a set of gas logs is placed near the burner to radiate the heat and to enhance the visual appeal of the flame at the burner.
 15. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 11, wherein a set of gas logs is placed near the burner to radiate the heat and to enhance the visual appeal of the flame at the burner.
 16. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 12, wherein a set of gas logs is placed near the burner to radiate the heat and to enhance the visual appeal of the flame at the burner.
 17. A mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace as in claim 13, wherein a set of gas logs is placed near the burner to radiate the heat and to enhance the visual appeal of the flame at the burner. 